By: Dave Abrahams
Shanghai, China - Volvo is about to release its most luxurious vehicle yet at the city's upcoming international motor show - an elegant four-seat version of the of the recently announced XC90, designed to give customers an individual, distinctly Scandinavian take on refinement and comfort.
Yes, the XC90 Excellence is based on Volvo's new flagship SUV, but that's apparently where the family resemblance ends; it has just four seats where the original has seven, creating space for a business-class lounge behind the flight deck with enough leg-room for a Na'vi warrior.
It's furnished with two individual reclining seats offering massage and ventilation, a retractable control touch-screen, folding tables, cup-holders that keep hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold, and a fridge with bottle and glass holders, fitted out with handmade Orrefors Swedish crystal glasses.
The luxury list continues with passenger footrests, special ambient lighting, illuminated storage and special leather trim in ivory very dark grey, as well as a luggage compartment dividing screen, extra sound insulation and even noise-cancelling tyres.
That's so you can fully appreciate the aural perfection provided by the specially-upgraded, 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system, while breathing Swedish-quality fresh air courtesy of an integrated ionic air cleaner in the CleanZone climate system, that positively charges the electrons in airborne dust, smoke or pollen particles so they're removed from suspension in the cabin air.
NEW MEANING
Special finishes include a leather instrument panel with contrast stitching, a colour-coordinated Nubuck synthetic-suede headliner, chromed B and C pillar cappings and special Excellence badging.
Volvo senior vice-president for design Thomas Ingenlath said: "Volvo has never made a car like this before; this shows what the name Volvo now means."
Which may carry more meaning than Ingenlath intended, given that Volvo is now owned by Chinese carmaker Geely and the car is being launched in Shanghai, where automotive status is conveyed by lolling in the back of your luxury car while a menial does the driving.
It's been said that the Mandarin-language instructions for changing a wheel on a luxury car often begin: "Instruct your chauffeur to proceed as follows…"
IN DEMAND
The third-generation XC90, launched in August 2014, may turn out to be a victim of its own success; Volvo planned to sell about 50 000 of them in 2015 - but more than 24 000 have been ordered before it has even reached Volvo showrooms.
The XC90 Excellence will be available globally (not in the UK) later this year and via digital commerce in selected markets.
The seven-seat standard model will be released in South Africa in August - if there are any left by then - but there are no confirmed plans at this stage for the four-seat Excellence to be made available locally.